Recidivist

It's interesting to see how different surgeons have different diets both pre and post-op, yet we all successful in the end. Now that I'm on liquids, the surgery is becoming quite real. My emotions range from terrified to excited to just wanting it to be over.

I'm down 10 pounds after the first week of liquids! I can't believe it--although I know I can't expect to lose 10 pounds a week after surgery.

My surgeon didn't give me a number--she just said the more I can lose the better. She also said I should try to be as active as possible leading up to the surgery. Both help reduce the risks of complications.

Hi, Hunter's Mom. I'm surprised you can't have broth, since it has essentially no calories, fat or carbs. As I said, it has been great to satisfy my craving for something savory.

Is Optifast the only option you have? There are likely cheaper versions on the market, including powder. I've been doing a mixture of protein shakes and powder mixed with water.

I assume most of us had to attend nutrition and pre-surgery classes as part of this process. In our class, I think I could pick out a couple of people who are not going to be very successful. After being told that we could have neither alcohol nor carbonated drinks, one woman declared that she will NOT give up champagne. Another one said that her hectic schedule meant she had to eat fast food, and that would not change after surgery (which reminded me of "My 600-Pound Life). I'm not saying that I'm going to be a saint and never cheat, but I can't understand why you would be doing this if you were going in with the intention of cheating. Am I being too judgy?

Hi all. I'm on day five of the liquid diet, and I'm still amazed at how smoothly it is going. The one issue is that I really crave something savory after all the sweet protein shakes. I've solved that problem by having a cup or two of chicken broth around dinnertime. It has zero nutritional value but does satisfy the craving.

EmzBee, I can totally understand your feeling a bit disappointed. We have all waited so long for this surgery and done so much to prepare--and I think we all want spectacular weight loss right away. However, in any other context 6 pounds in a week is extraordinary! We will all get there sooner or later, and no two people will have the same experience.

Thanks so much for the update, Marine. It gives hope to the rest of us!

That's incredible progress, Barl. Congratulations on a very successful first week.

Has anyone been told that they need to keep salt and artificial sweeteners to a minimum after bypass? My partner and I disagree (I'm the one who is arguing in favor of salt and sweeteners, because they would go a long way in making food taste better.) I'd like to hear your thoughts!

I started shakes on Monday, so just finishing day 3. I still haven't had headaches nor felt particularly hungry. I have seen and smelled some of my favorite foods and would have loved to eat them, but I think that was more head hunger than actual hunger.

Beach, I think you are absolutely right, and I wouldn't recommend anyone follow my example. I do intend to be super-compliant after surgery, however.

Thanks, Nash! That will honestly make life much easier for me after surgery. One of the foods our nutritionist recommends is unsweetened, fat-free Greek yogurt. I simply can't get it down without a few packets of Sweet N' Low!

Well, Torriluv, I certainly like your answer, right or wrong! 🙂 I'm assuming the sugar-free pudding, popsicles, etc. all have artificial sweetener as well.

I'm pretty sure I gained weight in the last few weeks before the liquid diet with all the farewells to my favorite foods. (Haven't checked my weight in weeks.) If I'm lucky I'll be down a few pounds by surgery day.

I already have six incisions on my abdomen from cancer surgery in 2017. With five or six more after bypass, I guess i can give up my dream of being a swimsuit model.

Wow, those look really great. The will fade to almost nothing over time.

I'm one day ahead of you--surgery on March 4 and started liquid diet on Monday. It is going surprisingly well so far. I haven't really felt hungry and I'm not having caffeine or sugar withdrawal headaches. There was an unpleasant moment yesterday when our offie had a pizza party--and it looked SO good!

Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm sure I will figure this out once I've had surgery, like everything else. I have already had all of my meds switched to pills instead of capsules so they can be cut or crushed.

My surgeon has said nothing about gas so far. I'm still pre-op (bypass on March 4), and I'm really glad I've learned about gas pain from this forum.

Princess, are you by any chance in Washington DC? There was a woman in my pre-op class who was having thyroid issues, and I'm wondering whether that was you.

Hooray! You did it! I assume you are home by now, probably unconscious in bed. Keep letting us know how things are going. Were you able to drink water fairly easily in the hospital? I've read a lot in this forum about gas pains immediately after surgery, and they are apparently quite intense. My surgeon never said a word about that!

I'm also getting a bypass on March 4! Where are you located?

That does seem rather late in the day. Mine is on March 4 at 7:00 a.m., and I need to be at the hospital at 5:30! 😞 I started the protein shakes today. So far, so good!